Today:

Think Labs

Get the entire family diving deep into art and science topics! Perfect for families with children ages 4 and up, each educator-led Think Lab is held in a small group setting for a focused and cooperative experience. Create and collaborate side by side as you explore complex processes, use real scientific tools and investigate using unique materials.

Explore workshops below:

March - Cow Eye Dissection

Kitchen LabCow Eye Dissection (Ages 4+), 1 hour

March 16, March 17, March 18, March 31, April 1 — all workshops offered at 10:30 am or 12 pm or 2 pm or 3:30 pm

Learn about your own anatomy by exploring an eyeball in this biology-focused Think Lab. You’ll dissect a cow eye and explore the science behind the incredible sense of sight! The cow eyes used are preserved in a solution safe and free of formalin odor.

Please make sure to reserve both Adult and Child tickets for your Think Lab! There must be an adult accompanying children in any Think Lab. There is a minimum of a 1:4 ratio, meaning that for every 4 children attending there needs to be 1 adult accompanying them. However, we aim for a 1:1 ratio so that each child has an adult partner to work alongside.

Think Lab price does not include General Admission, General Admission tickets are required for museum entry.

March - Take Apart Art

Spark ShopTake Apart Art (Ages 4+), 1 hour

March 24, March 25, March 30 — all workshops offered at 10:30 am or 12 pm or 2 pm or 3:30 pm

Ever wonder what’s inside your toys or electronic devices? We invite you to make some exciting and surprising discoveries about their inner parts when you dissect an old stuffed animal or remote-controlled car using real tools to deconstruct. Then, get creative and reconstruct it in a new way!

Please make sure to reserve both Adult and Child tickets for your Think Lab! There must be an adult accompanying children in any Think Lab. There is a minimum of a 1:4 ratio, meaning that for every 4 children attending there needs to be 1 adult accompanying them. However, we aim for a 1:1 ratio so that each child has an adult partner to work alongside.

Think Lab price does not include General Admission, General Admission tickets are required for museum entry.

April - Decoding DNA

Kitchen LabDecoding DNA (Ages 4+), 1 hour

April 7, April 8, April 21, April 22 — all workshops offered at 10:30 am or 12 pm or 2 pm or 3:30 pm

Come explore the basis of all life as we know it, DNA! During this Think Lab you will make your own hands-on representation of a DNA strand which we will then use to investigate and uncover the different roles of DNA, while decoding the patterns that make you, you!

Please make sure to reserve both Adult and Child tickets for your Think Lab! There must be an adult accompanying children in any Think Lab. There is a minimum of a 1:4 ratio, meaning that for every 4 children attending there needs to be 1 adult accompanying them. However, we aim for a 1:1 ratio so that each child has an adult partner to work alongside.

Think Lab price does not include General Admission, General Admission tickets are required for museum entry.

April - Seed Paper-Making

Spark ShopSeed Paper-Making (Ages 4+), 1 hour

April 14, April 15, April 28, April 29 — all workshops offered at 10:30 am or 12 pm or 2 pm or 3:30 pm

Spring has sprung! Welcome the season in by blending recycled paper with seeds, organic materials and natural dyes to create your own unique paper. Later, plant and water your creation to watch it come to life!

Please make sure to reserve both Adult and Child tickets for your Think Lab! There must be an adult accompanying children in any Think Lab. There is a minimum of a 1:4 ratio, meaning that for every 4 children attending there needs to be 1 adult accompanying them. However, we aim for a 1:1 ratio so that each child has an adult partner to work alongside.

Think Lab price does not include General Admission, General Admission tickets are required for museum entry.

May - Soap-Making

Kitchen LabSoap-Making (Ages 4+), 1 hour

May 5, May 6, May 19, May 20 — all workshops offered at 10:30 am or 12 pm or 2 pm or 3:30 pm

Let’s combine art and science by mixing ingredients to make fragrant soap. Choose from oils, herbs and other natural ingredients to create your own aromatic combination, while exploring what’s gives them germ-busting properties.

Please make sure to reserve both Adult and Child tickets for your Think Lab! There must be an adult accompanying children in any Think Lab. There is a minimum of a 1:4 ratio, meaning that for every 4 children attending there needs to be 1 adult accompanying them. However, we aim for a 1:1 ratio so that each child has an adult partner to work alongside.

Think Lab price does not include General Admission, General Admission tickets are required for museum entry.

May - Bird Houses

Spark ShopBird Houses (Ages 4+), 1 hour

May 12, May 13, May 26, May 27, May 28* — all workshops offered at 10:30 am or 12 pm or 2 pm or 3:30 pm

Measure twice, cut once! Join us in Spark Shop this month and learn the basics of woodworking while building a fun home for a feathered friend.

Please make sure to reserve both Adult and Child tickets for your Think Lab! There must be an adult accompanying children in any Think Lab. There is a minimum of a 1:4 ratio, meaning that for every 4 children attending there needs to be 1 adult accompanying them. However, we aim for a 1:1 ratio so that each child has an adult partner to work alongside.

Think Lab price does not include General Admission, General Admission tickets are required for museum entry.

June - Instant Ice Cream

Kitchen LabInstant Ice Cream (Ages 4+), 1 hour

June 2, June 3, June 16, June 17, June 30, July 1 — all workshops offered at 10:30 am or 12 pm or 2 pm or 3:30 pm

Looking for a way to keep cool during the Texas summer heat? Join us in Kitchen Lab as we explore how dry ice can be used to make homemade frozen treats!

Please make sure to reserve both Adult and Child tickets for your Think Lab! There must be an adult accompanying children in any Think Lab. There is a minimum of a 1:4 ratio, meaning that for every 4 children attending there needs to be 1 adult accompanying them. However, we aim for a 1:1 ratio so that each child has an adult partner to work alongside.

Think Lab price does not include General Admission, General Admission tickets are required for museum entry.

June - Biomes in a Bottle

Spark ShopBiomes in a Bottle (Ages 4+), 1 hour

June 9, June 10, June 23, June 24 — all workshops offered at 10:30 am or 12 pm or 2 pm or 3:30 pm

Let it grow! Combine making and science as you explore and create the right environment for plants to thrive. After, take home your terrarium and document its growth and changes in your Think Lab journal!

Please make sure to reserve both Adult and Child tickets for your Think Lab! There must be an adult accompanying children in any Think Lab. There is a minimum of a 1:4 ratio, meaning that for every 4 children attending there needs to be 1 adult accompanying them. However, we aim for a 1:1 ratio so that each child has an adult partner to work alongside.

Think Lab price does not include General Admission, General Admission tickets are required for museum entry.

FAQ

How is a Think Lab different from other activities at Thinkery?

These educator-led Think Labs provide an opportunity for visitors to engage in a deeper and more advanced learning experience. Participants are provided the opportunity to take over a program space and engage with Thinkery staff in a more intimate setting,

What will we be doing during the Think Lab?

Most of our Think Labs build off of themes and concepts that are present throughout our museum, but involve more advanced tools or more complex processes. During these Think Labs, families and groups will work together to learn a new skill or work on a project.

How is the price of a Think Lab determined?

The Think Lab price helps to offset the cost of providing a deeper and more intimate learning experience, which includes the use of a program space and a lower staff to participant ratio. The cost of materials is also factored into the price of the Think Lab.

Who can attend?

Think Labs are designed for children ages 4–7 and 8 and older, with their adult. There must be an adult accompanying children in any Think Lab. There is a minimum of a 1:4 ratio, meaning that for every 4 children attending there needs to be 1 adult accompanying them. However, we aim for a 1:1 ratio so that each child has an adult partner to work alongside. Children who do not meet the ages for Think Labs will not be able to come into the program spaces. It is highly recommended that families with children of multiple ages plan to have more than one adult chaperone during their museum visit.

Think Lab Cancellation Policy

If you must cancel your plans, please notify us prior to event start to receive a refund of the ticket cost. Refunds are not available if you fail to notify us or do not attend the event.

Thinkery reserves the right to cancel a program if registration for the event does not meet the minimum enrollment requirements. If Thinkery cancels a program, a full refund will be issued to all registrants.